Housing

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Housing
Regional Center for Independent Living Youth
Transition / YIELD Program
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Where do I look?

• Trying to find an apartment can be difficult and
  frustrating. It also may take a little while.
• Look in the newspaper want ads
• Public Bulletin Boards
• Real Estate Offices sometimes have apartment
  listings
• The Internet

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Types of Apartments

• Studio Apartments
• 1-3 Bedroom Apartments
• Supportive Living Apartments
• Condos
• Town Houses
• Subsidized- Section 8
• Rent is based on your income and the
  number of people living in your home.

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Questions to Ask Prior to Accepting the Apartment

• How much is the rent?
• When is it due?
• Is there anything included in the rent?
• What is the late fee if rent is late?
• Is there on-site laundry? If not, where is the
  closest?
• Is the public transportation nearby?
• Where is the closest grocery store?
• Where is the closest drug store?
• Are pets allowed? If so, are there any
  restrictions?
• What is the length on the lease?
• Is there a penalty for breaking the lease?
• Can I add someone to the lease at a later time?

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Communication with your Landlord

• Checking out a new apartment
• Make sure you have a paper/notebook and something
  to write with.
• Check for any defects in the walls or floors in
  all rooms, such as dents, scratches, chips,
  scuffs that dont come off, cracks, or peeling
  paint or tiles
• Check the trim around all doors, windows and any
  where else there may be trim for defects.
• Make sure all electrical outlets and switches
  work.
• In the bathroom and kitchen make sure to check
  all faucets to make sure they work and do not
  leak any where around them or underneath them.
  Check sinks and tubs also.

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Checking out a new apartment (continued)

• Check all doors and windows to make sure they
  close and lock properly and there is no drafts.
• Check all smoke detectors to make sure they are
  functioning correctly.
• Complete the apartment inspection sheet, noting
  ALL problems no matter how small.
• Write a formal letter noting all the problems
  that were found.
• Request that the land lord fix all problems as
  soon as possible.
• Keep copies of all letters to and from your
  landlord.
• Videotaping or taking pictures of the walkthrough
  will help with your written statement.

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Fair Housing Act

• This act prohibits discrimination against people
  who
• Have a physical or mental disability that limits
  one or more major life activities such as
• Mobility
• Hearing
• Vision
• Mental illness
• HIV, AIDS, AIDS-Related complex
• Mental retardation
• Have a history of such disability
• Are regarded by others as though they have such a
  disability

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Landlord Accommodations

• Landlords must accommodate the needs of their
  tenants with disabilities, with in reason, at
  their expense.
• For example
• Allow a tenant to have a service animal even
  though they have a no pets policy
• Provide a close or spacious parking space for a
  tenant that uses a mobility device.

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Tenant Modifications

• Landlords must allow their tenants with
  disabilities to make reasonable modifications, at
  their (tenants) expense, to live comfortably and
  safely in their apartment.
• For example
• Lowering countertops for a tenant that uses a
  wheelchair
• Installing adaptable faucets or door handles for
  someone with limited hand use
• Modifying kitchen appliances to accommodate a
  tenant with visual limitations
• Installing a ramp to allow wheelchair access to a
  raised living room
• The modifications must be reasonable and receive
  prior approval from the landlord. The landlord
  will also want proof that you have obtained the
  proper building permits.

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Proof of Need for Accommodations

• Some disabilities are not visible to everyone. If
  you require accommodations and your disability is
  not visible, have your proof ready prior to
  asking for the accommodations.
• For example
• Removal of doors in the apartment for someone
  who has a concern with enclosed spaces
• Have your doctor write a statement that the
  changes are appropriate for your situation. This
  is to protect your privacy

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HUD Housing and Urban Development

• Helps you find affordable housing and also can
  help you purchase a house.
• Apartment options
• Privately owned subsidized housing - HUD helps
  apartment owners offer reduced rents to
  low-income tenants.
• Public Housing - affordable apartments for
  low-income families, the elderly and persons with
  disabilities.
• Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) find
  your own place and use the voucher to pay for all
  or part of the rent.

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Who will I live with?

• When you decide to get your own apartment one
  decision you will have to make is who am I going
  to live with?
• Options
• Alone
• Friend (s)
• Other roommate

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Things to Consider

• If you live alone can you
• Afford the apartment you want by yourself?
• Do you need assistance to complete any everyday
  task?
• If you choose to live with friend (s)
• Can they afford half of the expenses?
• Will they help out around the apartment?
• Will they respect your privacy?
• Can you live with this person without it
  affecting your friendship?
• If you choose another roommate
• How will you choose someone else?
• Would you want this person to be of the same or
  opposite sex?

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Questions to Ask a Potential Roommate

• What items they are willing to share?
• Will you share groceries? If so how will it work?
• Are they willing to split chores of the house and
  pick up after themselves?
• What are their feelings on smoking or drinking
  (if 21) in the apartment?
• How early/late do you go to bed/get up?
• What are your feelings on guests of the opposite
  sex visiting?
• How many people do you think should be in the
  apartment at once?

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Examples ads of houses for rent
GENEVA - Beautiful 3 bdrm, completely remodeled.
No smoking, no pets. 750/moutilities.
315-536-0291. Jan 04, 2009
Seneca FALLS 3/4 bdrm, Kit, Liv, DR, 2 ba,
garage, workshed, bsmt. 800 [phone] Dec
30, 2008
W'LOO Ranch Style, 2 bdrm, central air, auto
generator, no smoking/ pets. Avail. Jan. 10th,
675/mo. 315-789-8139 Dec 15, 2008
Source www.fingerlakes1.com
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Examples of apartments for rent
Seneca Falls 1 bdrm, 2nd floor, off st parking
500 incl. utils/sec dep req. [phone] Dec
31st, 2008 Penn YAN Spacious ground floor, 2
bdrm, garage,large yard. 650.
315-277-0317 Dec 26th, 2008 Geneva Pleasant
st, 5 room modern 425 util. Avail 2/1. Sec. No
Pets [phone] Jan 2nd, 2009 Lyons 2 3
Bedroom apartments, Very large, clean and secure.
500-550 electric, with 300 security deposit,
no pets. [phone] WCLA member Macedon One
Bedroom mobile home for rent, 350 plus, no pets,
security/references. Call [phone] Ontario
One bedroom upper apartment, rent appliances and
utilities. No Pets. Security 315-524-4738 Sources
www.fltimes.com and www.waynetimes.com
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Examples of roommate wanted ads
Room for rent to responsible roommate, large
Geneva home in good area. Non-smoker. Washer and
dryer, wireless internet included. Must have
references. Contact for more info and
questions. Looking for a house mate to share
expenses in a three bedroom house in Gorham with
one female. 450 will include everything. Full
bath upstairs and half down. Washer and dryer
hookup. Quiet small town. Close to Cdga, Geneva,
and Penn yan. Must like cats as I have
three. Room for rent person must be single non
smokingmust have references and no criminal
record contact Giddymoonbeam_at_gmail.com Source
www.fingerlakes1.com